Don't Leave Me #3

"All this was for revenge?" she asked in a whisper and I can hear her even when we are standing far away from each other because of the silence surround us.

"Yes! Didn't you hear what I was saying until now?" I asked, smirking and saw her eyes blinking while the tears rolled down her cheek.

I immediately turned away and walked out of the place not wishing to see those tears right now. I took a deep breath climbing down the stairs and felt the presence of others following me.

"Are you really going to end it like this?" I paused near the car in which we both were supposed to leave and turned to see their shocked looks.

"What do you think?" I asked back and none of them have any answer to that.

"I don't know! Maybe... maybe for now it will end like this." I replied to their question not able to remove her face with tears from my mind and why am I even thinking about all that.

"None of us expected all this." I can understand those words as even I didn't expect much when I started all this.

"It is better if we leave right now. Why don't you call others?" I asked, looking at the closed doors waiting for others to come out.

"I will go and call them." But before those words were finished saying, the doors are opened and my sister started running towards me calling me.

"What happened?" I asked her frowning seeing her expression.

"You need to come inside now." She replied frantically holding my hand while gasping for air.

I frowned at her, but her drag me back towards the doors and when she opened them my eyes widened, looking at the reason why she was in a hurry.

"No!" I whispered without any control of my mouth and I took a step forward without thinking about anything.

"Stop! You can't do anything right now." They held me back before I can take the second step and I fought them with my everything but I couldn't stop anything at all like they said and this time I felt the tears forming in my eyes while I lost energy in my whole body. Why? Why did it end like this?

*Palak Pov*

"Ms. Palak!" I turned away from my mobile hearing my name to see my co-worker pointing her hand at the doctor's office.

"I am waiting for a call. Can you take the case?" I asked, walking towards her.

"Even I wish to do that, but he specifically asked for a specialist and your name got chosen." She replied sighing longingly at the door.

"VIP?" I asked her frowning and she nodded.

I am not that keen on working with the VIP as they are never ready to work hard on getting better and whine a lot. Not everyone act in that way, but at least most of them.

Being a physiotherapist, there is a need to hold them or touch them, but many have objected to that and I don't know what type of patient will I be getting today.

I am already worried with none of my calls being picked by anyone for the past two weeks and I don't even know what actually happened. How can they just keep me out of the loop in this way?

I am scared to call others, but if they don't reply to my messages or call me then I will do that no matter what is the result. With all these thoughts I have to work on a VIP?

Shut up, Palak! You are being too much now thinking about patients in a wrong way. I need to finish all this soon and then think again about my personal problems.

"Is there a need to get briefed or you already know what is needed?" I asked, looking at Tina who really seems disappointed right now.

"It is better if you get briefed once as this is a really important case. And many people will be behind you if you make any mistake." She advised and I sighed, walking towards my senior's cabin and found him sitting alone.

"He just got shifted from Mumbai to this hospital following his wishes. We need to take care of this carefully. His ankle got fractured and also had a dislocated shoulder two months back from an accident." He started briefing after passing the file.

I paused, hearing two words and those are two months and accident. I cleared my throat and checked the report to see he is a racer and the accident happened on the field and that brought me too much relief without my conscious.

"He will be staying here for one month mostly. You are in charge of this case." He added looking at me and I nodded before leaving his cabin after he said my patient is waiting in the room.

I glanced at the time and rushed to the room so that I can finish it fast. On my way I decided to check if I have any other patient other than him so that I can just leave for the day.

Tina immediately pointed the table where a man is sitting and found many others, even patients looking at him. I gave her a nod and walked towards the table.

"Good afternoon, Mr. David Mattew! As today is the first day, we will work on the small exercises, but we will not be putting any pressure on the shoulder immediately. We will work on the ankle today and I will check your shoulder to understand the pressure it can bare." For five minutes I talked about the treatment and used the scale to check the point to where he can lift his arm slowly.

I gestured one of the interns I found lurking around to hold the chart and mark the details while I knelt down to check on his ankle.

After some time, I gave the intern a nod to help the patient from the table before walking away holding the chart when I felt my phone buzzing in my coat and that immediately turned my attention back to the problem I have right now.

"Palak! I heard you are in charge of the new patient. How was he to be working with?" I frowned, hearing Veer's words and calmly took out my bag from the locker.

"It was like working with a patient." I replied, giving him a tight smile and started walking away from the lockers but he followed me.

"What is it? I am in a hurry, Veer." I added turning around.

"It's just I heard he is very popular and also handsome. So..." he trailed off making me frown.

"I don't even remember his face and it is not your business to inquire such things." I pointed out and this time I walked off ignoring him.

I took out my phone near the reception before signing out and found the call I just missed belonging to my brother. I sighed in relief and immediately called him back and nodded at the receptionist while signing.

"Bhai! Why have none of you informed me about the judgement? What happened?" I rushed the moment he picked up the phone.

"Why are you calling Dad and me so many times? Can't you understand that we were busy?" he shouted and I immediately pulled my phone away from my ear.

"Tell me what actually happened." I pleaded ignoring his words.

"I am answering to your call, right? Can't you understand from that?" he asked scoffing and I placed my hand on the table bracing myself hearing those words.

"So, everything is settled now? There will be no more problems? You are completely free?" I asked again to be sure.

"Of course! Now, do not disturb us again like this. And don't send those threatening messages saying you will contact the company people and others if we don't pick the phone." He warned before cutting the call.

I shook my head, removing the phone from my ear and smiled in relief not letting his words or attitude affecting me. I don't care about all that and all I can think about is he is not in any problem right now and everything is fine.

I don't know what actually happened, but I know it caused a lot of worries to Dad and him. Now, I can just ignore them and be like before thinking only about my work.

Ugh! I don't want to go home right now and stay alone after all this stress. Maybe I can check up on some of my patients and spend some time here before leaving.

"I will be going back." I mumbled, looking at the receptionist and she nodded, letting me strike of the time I wrote.

I turned around only to step back looking at the person standing before me. I gave him a nod before moving a little to pass him, but stopped when he shifted to stand right before me.

"I need to have a word with you." He said in a light tone.

"You can inquire about anything here." I pointed out the reception desk and shifted to the right but frowned when he followed my suit.

"Will you talk to your patients only in that room?" he asked, pointing to the room belonging to our department.

"You are my patient?" I asked, frowning and he gave me a stunned expression.

"You found her, Mr. David?" I heard Tina's voice and found her walking towards us.

"Do I know him?" I asked her in a whisper and she gave a shocked look.

"You just treated him. And how were you able to forget his handsome face?" she asked, raising her voice and I cleared my throat to warn her.

"I am sorry about that, Mr. David Mattew. What do you want to talk about?" I asked and observed the crutch he is using with his right hand.

"Do you want to sit somewhere?" I added, realizing it is best if he sit down.

"No need! I just wanted to ask whether the treatment will be like this everyday with no interest towards patient and just a rushed exercise or will it be different from tomorrow." His words shocked me for sure.

However, I realized he was somewhat right in what he was saying. I was completely wrong to not even know the patient I just worked with because of my personal reasons.

"I can understand what you are saying, Mr. David. But there was no rush in the exercises I just helped you with. You need not have any worries regarding such matters." I assured him smiling, but he just continued to frown.

"I want to get my shoulder exercises start too. I need to be on the field soon to practice racing and unless I get a proper declaration from the hospital. So, I would like it if you concentrate on your work properly." Saying that he turned around and walked away slowly.

"Wow! I saw a few patients grumbling at you, but they never talked in this way. Are you okay?" Tina asked worriedly.

"Maybe he is right in his own way. And it is expected to face such criticisms from VIP's. I will be careful from tomorrow." I replied smiling.

"Stop it, Ms. Palak! You need not find any excuses for him too. He can't decide which exercise he should do or what you need to consult." She mumbled frowning.

"Wow! Are you angry at the person you were just fangirling for my sake?" I asked chuckling.

"Maybe! But you seem to be fine now rather than before." She observed.

"Maybe!" I copied her words.

I don't care if everyone scolds me today. After worrying about this issue for the past two months, I am finally relieved. And who cares if a stranger just voice his opinion when I know it will be changed by the end of the treatment.

We both walked back into the department room and she continued with her work while I decided to guide the interns for today and I can't keep the smile away from my face.

I yawned walking out of the hospital and started walking towards my room looking around. I rubbed my shoulders, feeling the breeze and glanced at the scenery as it is still not dark.

I think it was my best decision to come here to Lonavla to settle three years back instead of staying in Mumbai. I can stay away from them and lead a peaceful life, even though I keep on worrying about them whenever a problem occurs.

I just hope nothing else happens, at least for a few months and I can word hard forgetting about them as much as I can. I walked to the house where I am staying as paying guest and climbed the stairs to reach the penthouse.

I cooked a light meal and finished it before getting ready to bed. I can finally sleep peacefully with no worries today. I drifted off into sleep with a smile still covering my face.

*Palak Pov*

"Here!" I opened my eyes to see Veer sitting beside me and I immediately sat properly before glancing at the bottle he is offering.

"Thank you! Are you taking a break too?" I asked, opening the bottle to take a sip.

"All my appointments are done for the day. What about you?" he asked, smiling and glanced at the chart in the room we are present sitting to take a rest.

This is supposed to be the place where we take care of all the patient records and have meetings, but most of the time we just use it to take some rest whenever we feel tired sitting in these chairs. Some of us go to the dorms but some of us feel it is better to stay near to the equipment room to help if anyone needs it.

"I have one last patient, but it's after half an hour." I replied, leaning back feeling tired today and I really hope he is not going to suggest something again already knowing the answer.

"I will wait for you here and we can go somewhere. It is the weekend after all." I sighed when my worry became a reality.

I just hope at least for once we both can sit down with no discussion regarding this matter. He is a good guy, but he just doesn't believe when I say no and that is a big problem for me.

No matter how many times I have explained that I don't feel that way about him, he is not accepting my words. I try to be harsh sometimes, but how much can I try without being too rude.

"No! You already know the answer to that." I mumbled leaning forward to place my head on the table to rest my eyes.

"Just as friends." I shook my head and closed my eyes, but sat straight when I heard Tina calling me in a loud voice.

I turned to see her standing at the entrance, looking at me with a worried look. I frowned and gestured her to come towards me without shouting.

"Why are you shouting, Tina? Is there some emergency?" I asked, to which she shook her head, but nodded slightly before glancing outside.

"Your patient is here, Ms. Palak." She mumbled walking towards me.

"Already? There is still some time left, right?" I asked, looking at my watch.

"That's what he was informed when he came but he is not leaving. I tried to convince him, but the look he gave is definitely frightening. He is Mr. David and I came here to call you, not wishing to make it any worse." She replied shaking her head.

"How can he do that? Just because he is a VIP candidate?" Veer asked, standing up and I sighed following him.

"Isn't he the one who talked to me yesterday?" I asked her and she nodded.

"Is he creating too much ruckus?" I asked, taking my coat to go and let him know he can't cause trouble for others like this.

"No! He is not saying anything at all." Her words paused me.

"Then why were you so worried?" I asked her frowning, not at all understanding her.

"He is talking in a normal tone and doing anything to disturb others. It's just that he gave me a look like he will not move an inch and we don't know what will happen if someone doesn't intervene, right. So, I was worried." She explained and I kind of understand her explanation.

"Well, I guess I will be going home half and hour early." I said, smiling and walked out of the room but they continued to follow me.

"You are still fangirling him?" I asked, to which she just shrugged.

"I don't want to create any trouble. So, don't react much." I pleaded Veer and he just sighed, but gave me a nod.

"You were about to leave, right?" I added and this time he just frowned at me.

"Fine! But don't let him bully you." Saying that he walked off.

"Why don't you give him a chance, Ms. Palak?" Tina asked when we continued to walk.

"Should I just force myself to like him in that way, even though I can't bring myself to think him as anything else other than a friend?" I asked looking at her.

"No! But I have never seen you showing interest in anyone and I don't know if you like someone or not." She pointed out.

"Don't worry! You will know immediately if I like someone. I think I am the type who goes to the end if I actually fall in love." I explained and she chuckled while gesturing me to the place where the patient must be waiting.

"And maybe that's why I didn't let myself fall for someone." I added clearing my throat and she frowned at me but turned her attention when we both couldn't find the patient.

"I asked him to stay here when I came to inform you, Ms. Palak." She explained frowning.

"Maybe he returned to his room not wishing to wait. I will for some time and if he doesn't come at the appointed time, then I will call him." I assured her.

We both turned to leave and stepped back when we found him standing right there. What's wrong with him? Why is he always sneaking behind someone? It was same yesterday and he did it again now.

"You can go now." I mumbled and she nodded before walking away.

"Mr. David! Aren't you tired of waiting for others like this behind their backs?" I asked, looking at him, but he completely ignored me and walked towards the table.

"There is still half an hour left for your appointed time. It is fine to do this session, but it will not be the same every day. Please go through the schedule given to you, Mr. David." I added after he settled properly.

"My Manager must have made a mistake by informing the wrong timings." He looked at me giving that excuse and this time I didn't say anything.

I repeated the instructions I gave him yesterday, but I know he is waiting for me to concentrate on his shoulder right now. I can't let him feel hurt just because he is wishing for all this not understanding, but I needed to do something to not let him be rude like yesterday.

I gestured an intern who is passing us and asked him to stay with me. After a few minutes, I finally showed a small exercise and asked him to do it.

"You make sure he is doing it properly, otherwise he will get hurt." I instructed the intern and took a step back to leave.

"There is still time left in my session. Are you going to rush off like yesterday?" he asked looking at me.

Now I understand Tina's reaction completely. He really communicates too much from his eyes and I can totally read his judgement in his eyes right now along with his words.

"I left after finishing my work yesterday and I will do the same today. I am not leaving but just going to let the intern take care of this part while I observe him and also keep an eye on the progress." I explained and I wish I need not explain all this to him but I need to so that there will not be any tantrum right now to put a stop.

He frowned but continued with the exercise, but didn't look away from my face. I tried to look at his shoulder and the intern in between but feeling weird about his stare, somehow my eyes shifted back to meet his in between.

"Ms. Palak! Can you review this test result?" I looked away to find Tina standing beside me.

Clearing my throat, I concentrated on the result before signing it and nodded at her, but she gestured to the table before whispering, "Why is he looking at you, Ms. Palak? Did you say something?"

"You know that I will be careful with VIP's." I whispered back.

"Then why?" she asked frowning.

"I don't know! Do you have to stay longer?" I asked, changing the topic and she nodded sighing.

"I had free time in the morning, but now it is packed." She replied before walking away and I checked my watch to see the time he is scheduled is finished.

I nodded at the intern and he immediately explained how the test was before walking away. I took the crutch from the table where he placed it and moved it near to him so that he can use it immediately.

"If there is any pain while doing any of these exercises, we need to be informed." I instructed while forwarding my hand to help him.

"There is still half an hour." He pointed out.

"We started early." I pointed back, but he didn't move an inch.

"So? We need to go as per schedule." He stated frowning at me.

Is he serious right now? What happened to the same statement just an hour ago? I sighed, looking around hoping my senior is around so that he can take care of this.

"You shouldn't put too much pressure on all this, Mr. David. One hour is more than enough and you will be completely fine by the end of this month. You need not worry much about all this. We plan all this beforehand." I explained still not moving my hand.

He finally placed his hand over mine taking a hold of it and I sighed in relief, but frowned when he didn't move and just sat there.

"I need to wait for my manager here so that he can help me back to my room. I don't want to over work my leg like you said." He said looking at me.

"Okay! If you want I can get one of the interns to help you." I offered, but he shook his head and I nodded before pulling my hand away from his hold but he shifted with it and I immediately placed my hand on his shoulder so that he will not fall down.

"Are you okay?" I asked, looking at his face when he closed his eyes.

"Yes! But you need to remove your hand from my shoulder. It is hurting." He replied and I immediately shifted my hand to the neck and helped him to sit properly.

"I didn't know that you were holding it tightly." I explained and he just sighed before letting go of my hand and I stepped back.

"Is it hurting too much?" I asked when he placed his other hand over his shoulder.

"A little!" he mumbled clearing his throat.

"Let me help you to your room." I finally offered after a few minutes when I can see him still feeling the pain because of this and I am feeling guilty as this is somehow because of me.

"Fine!" he accepted which surprised me a little, but I guess he will accept anyone's help feeling this pain.

Again, I took hold of his hand and passed the crutch to his other hand, but he let it go immediately. I don't think he will be able to hold it right now with this pain.

"Here!" I shifted to his other side while passing the crutch to his uninjured hand and gave him the support by myself so that he need not put any pressure on his shoulder.

"Is it fine for you like this?" I asked, placing my hand around his waist to support him.

"Sure!" he replied, taking the steps along with me.

When I passed Tina dealing with her patient, she gave me a wide look while I just shook my head. If it was not my mistake, I would have called the intern to support him.

At least like this I will not feel guilty for sure. But why did he hold my hand like that? I sighed, walking along with him while he gave me instructions to his room and we finally reached there.

After helping him to lay down on the bed, I stepped back, placing the crutch near to him and glanced around to see no flowers or anything special like we generally find in other VIP's rooms.

"Do you need help with anything, Mr. David?" I asked, hoping he will say no.

"What's your name?" he asked, looking at me.

"Palak Anand!" I replied, feeling awkward to have this conversation right now.

"Ms. Palak! I am feeling thirsty." He gestured to the water on the table.

"I will call a nurse for you." I offered giving him a polite smile and turned around to leave.

"Is it degrading to help patients in these situations?" his question stopped me from leaving for sure.

"Not at all, Mr. David. I thought you would be more comfortable if the nurse helps you." I replied turning back to face him.

"If I had a doubt that I would feel awkward, then I wouldn't have asked you." He pointed out and I ignored his comment before moving towards the table to fill the water in the glass.

When I walked back towards his bed, he is already sitting properly and I passed the glass to him. He took it from my hands and drank before passing back the glass.

"Can you pass me the remote?" he asked, pointing the remote beside the water.

Why everything is far away from his side in the first place? I thought, frowning before passing the remote to him and he immediately switched it on.

I glanced at him to take my leave, but stopped looking at his expression while staring at the television. I glanced at the screen to see a Motorsports event.

He is a racer, right? Is that the reason he looks too sad and regretful while watching this? I stared at his face for a few seconds before sitting on the stool beside his bed.

"How long have you been racing?" I asked calmly but didn't expect much answer.

"It's already ten years. The moment I got my license, I joined and started racing." He replied still staring at the screen.

"Were you the best when you first started?" I asked, not looking away from his face.

"No! I was the worst of the whole group that joined with me." He replied and I can find a trace of a smile appearing on his face.

"But somehow I ended up best by the end." He added and I smiled hearing his words.

"Then you will be the worst again after finishing your treatment and you can be the best again like before." I finally said and this time he turned to look at me.

"Are you interested in sports?" he asked, staring at me.

"No! But I know a few details about some of the sports because of my patients. They talk a lot while trying to ignore their pain you know." I replied smiling.

"You allow them to talk? You don't rush off from them like you did with me?" he asked raising his eyebrow.

"I didn't rush off from you. How many times do I have to tell you, Mr. David? You can see right now, how I am staying with you longer than scheduled." I pointed out and he just shook his head like he will not leave that point.

"So, you are the best at this work in this hospital?" he asked looking at me.

"It is kind of right because the ones who are better than me already left this hospital." I replied sitting properly and not at the edge.

"To the city? Why didn't you?" he asked the second question when I nodded to his first.

"I want to stay here and I don't have any plan to shift to the city. And I will be the best if is stay here." I pointed out and he chuckled hearing my last statement.

He started explaining about the racing and the details he has to take care of along with the mistakes the participants are making while I listened to him mostly observing the way his expressions change while saying each word.

"David?" I glanced at the door hearing a voice to see a man standing while frowning at both of us.

"He is my manager Satish." Mr. David introduced him and I gave him a nod before standing up.

"I will take my leave. Please come as per the scheduled time and not before." I said, nodding at David while turning towards the manager to give the same instruction and walked out of the room.

Somehow, without my knowledge I started smiling while packing my things and leaving the hospital after waving to my co-workers. And even more surprising is the fact that it didn't slip off even after I reached my room. I was smiling yesterday and today like a mad woman. Still I didn't let go of my smile and I don't have any plan to do so.